My next book is going to be a post-apocalyptic horror novel with a completely new and different monster in it. I'd like to read a few novels myself before I write the first draft just to have the vibe of these topics going already in my mind, as it is a bit of a stretch for me - which makes it exciting. I'd like to see how other authors handle the topics I will be writing about. I don't want to use zombies unless they are a minor part of the world I am creating - possible, but not my focus. I know the basic story already.

So If any of you have any favourite post apocalyptic books without zombies, or monster books - preferably with a sci-fi feel to them - would you please let me know.

If it were me, I'd have a look at the likes of Alas, Babylon by Pat Frank, or One Second After by William R. Forstchen. Then start the writing, feeling your way along with the characters and settings. See what comes out the burnt and rotting woodwork, so to speak.

I rather like "Monster Hunter" series by Larry Correia but it is definitely not postapocalyptic. Those books work because the characters are very likeable and the author concentrates on what he knows, so even though monsters of all sorts are involved there is a certain level of authenticity - if that makes sense

The monster will be quite original and quite scary. It will come mostly from the MC's internal struggle with a world that rewards evil /unfair treatment of the lower classes and minorities in a world that has been artificially created, and set apart from any other survivors, in order to weather the apocalyptic happenings that have largely wiped out human kind. So the MC has control over this monster. She uses it to gain control and to exact revenge in a way, but I want to make the forces that she is fighting against so nasty that it won't feel like revenge it will feel like the right thing to do.

it is a scary world and my MC will be saving many unfortunates by doing this. So I'm looking to read material that puts me in different post apocalyptic worlds. Isolated ones might be good. I think Hugh Howie's books are that way. it also makes me think a bit of 1984 where they were inside that complex. My memory fails me a little but they were trapped and controlled there.

Also I wanted to read monster stories just so that I can see how writers manage writing a monster without it being too over the top or awkward. I think the book Who Goes There, which was the basis for the film The Thing, does this quite well although that monster is discovered right at the start whereas mine develops over time.

Right now I am writing short stories in post-apocalyptic worlds just to try finding my footing, or my environment. It feels a bit Sci-Fi to me but I'd prefer it to veer into horror as I am more comfortable there. Like a stretch but maybe a bit at a time.

If it were me, I'd have a look at the likes of Alas, Babylon by Pat Frank, or One Second After by William R. Forstchen. Then start the writing, feeling your way along with the characters and settings. See what comes out the burnt and rotting woodwork, so to speak.

I enjoyed both those books.

Sorry if I may have actually missed the gist of your actual question.

Good luck on your next project

Hmm. I think I'm interested with One Second After. Thanks for the suggestion. Will buy it today.

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